Ahasan Bhoon, the president of Lahore's Bar Association, had just concluded a meeting at the city's high court when an explosion rocked the building. "I had just announced that we were moving towards the main gate and there would be rallies when there was blast. [...] When we came out we saw the dead bodies and people running around."

Shortly after the police spokesman in Lahore, Malick Iqbal, made a statement: "At the moment I can only confirm it was a suicide attack and the police was the target." However, he added he could not yet say who was behind the attack or what the motive was.

Numerous officers in full riot gear had been deployed to the court because the lawyers there had planned to hold a protest rally against President Musharraf's regime.

Devastating scene

Eyewitnesses reported that a young man on moped drove up, parked and walked up to the police officers and exploded his bomb.

Pakistani television showed images of the scene -- the rubble, the attacker's moped, police helmets and boots and protective shields, which were strewn all over. As well as dozens of unconscious people -- many wearing uniforms.

Over 20 people died according to the official figures -- mainly police officers. Many more were injured.

Security failure

Now people are talking about a security failure. This lawyer witnessed the blast and accused the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) for not doing enough to prevent suicide attacks: "Every now and then we hear the CCPO saying a suicide attacker was entering Punjab or Sindh. If they have information, why can't they catch all of them?"

Hundreds of people have fallen victim to suicide attacks in Pakistan in the past few months -- mainly members of the country's security forces.

The authorities have now put the security forces on high alert all over the country.

Some observers fear that President Musharraf might postpone the elections again. They were due in early January but after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto last month, the elections were postponed until mid-February.

Musharraf's opponents think that President Musharraf will try to gain time to win back support and prevent the opposition political parties from winning.